The waiting game for the start of the Stanley Cup final is beginning to bug coach Bryan Murray.

But there's nothing the Senators coach can do about it.

"It would have been nice to start (tomorrow) for us," Murray admitted yesterday. "I'm not sure why it didn't happen, but we just do what we're told to do in this business."

The best-of-seven NHL championship series against the Ducks couldn't start tomorrow in Anaheim because the Honda Center is booked for a skating show this weekend.

Instead, Game 1 will go Monday night.

Consequently, the Senators brass decided to pass on practice yesterday and instead organized a scrimmage, complete with music during the warmup and two 20-minute periods.

The intent was to simulate a game situation, although no hitting was allowed.

"It was different. I just wanted to let them have a little fun and get some work out of it as well," Murray said. "The good thing is these guys got lots of ice time, so nobody will have a complaint for the rest of the year.

''It was a good workout for them."

The players enjoyed the change.

"That was a good exercise," said centre Jason Spezza. "It's definitely tougher than a practice and there was decent pace to it.